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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

I am 3 months post treatment from nasopharengeal carcinoma. It was stage 3 because it spread to both sides of my neck into the lymph nodes. The mass on the right side of my neck was very large but after chemo, then radiation and chemo (33 treatments of rad) the primary tumor in my nasopharynx is gone but a PET scan revealed a lymph node with a 4.4 uptake in my neck where the large mass was. My oncolologist and radiologist suggest removal of the lymph nodes in that area because they do not trust a needle biopsy because they are known to give false negatives . My ENT suggests a needle biopsy and to monitor the lymph nodes in that area with a sonogram. My next PET scan is scheduled for 12/11/2014. Should I get the surgery or have the needle biopsy. I am worried about a false negative but at the same time neck surgery isn t something that is routine or easy and comes with a lot of risks. I appreciate any advice.
Mon, 10 Nov 2014
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Oncologist, Surgical 's  Response
hi... my advice is to undergo a neck dissection if PETCT showed an uptake of 4.4 in the previous gross nodal disease region.. as a surgical oncologist i can tell that neck dissection is not a morbid procedure...yes, i accept post radiotherapy there may be healing issues but overall its safer and best way to control neck residual or recurrent disease.. please follow the advice of your oncologist..
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Suggest Treatment For Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

hi... my advice is to undergo a neck dissection if PETCT showed an uptake of 4.4 in the previous gross nodal disease region.. as a surgical oncologist i can tell that neck dissection is not a morbid procedure...yes, i accept post radiotherapy there may be healing issues but overall its safer and best way to control neck residual or recurrent disease.. please follow the advice of your oncologist..